Nottingham Forest midfielder Danilo has broken his silence after suffering a horror injury just minutes into Nottingham Forest’s first game of the new season.
Forest were playing hosts to Bournemouth at the City Ground on Saturday afternoon, but the first half was delayed by seven minutes when midfielder Danilo landed awkwardly.
The Brazilian challenged Antoine Semenyo in an aerial ball inside the centre circle before landing awkwardly on his left foot, forcing his leg into an unnatural position.
Referee Michael Oliver immediately spotted the severity of the injury and the game was stopped as medical staff rushed onto the field.
The ground fell silent as he was treated, and he has now taken to social media to address fans in the fallout of the events.
Nottingham Forest midfielder Danilo has broken his silence after suffering a horror injury
The midfielder picked up a serious injury after challenging for the ball in the middle of the park during Nottingham Forest’s Premier League opener
He as now taken to social media to ensure fans that he is ‘fine’ and will ‘be back soon’
‘Hey guys,’ he began in post. ‘I’m just stopping by to say that I’m fine, thank God, and I’m already home.
‘We’ll be back soon. Thank you for all the messages of support.’
As Danilo was treated on the pitch, members of the response team created a protective barrier around him.
Once that was removed, fans and players were relieved to see the player giving a thumbs up, shortly before he left the field on a stretcher.
Sky Sports pundits working on Soccer Saturday were left in shock, while replays showed the moment the incident occured, with his leg looking seriously injured.
After Danilo left the field to be replaced by Adam Yates, Forest’s official club X (formerly Twitter) account posted a message of support.
It read: ‘Yatesy replaces Danilo who is stretchered off. We’re all with you, Danilo’.
Team-mate Murillo (centre) covered his mouth while looking away after catching a close-up glance at the injury
Bournemouth duo Dango Ouattara (left) and Alex Scott (right) also looked shaken by the incident
Forest officals put up barriers to give the midfielder privacy as he received treatment on-field
Danilo joined Forest from Palmeiras for around £16million in January 2023 and made his 43rd appearance on Saturday
Danilo – who joined Forest from Palmeiras for around £16million in January 2023 – was making his 43rd Premier League appearance on Saturday.
The 23-year-old scored three goals in 34 games across all competitions for the East Midlands outfit last season.
But it could be some time before he returns to the pitch, with the injury set to rule him out of action for a long period.
Saturday’s game ended in a 1-1 draw. Chris Wood fired Forest ahead in the 23rd minute but Semenyo hit back for the Cherries late in the second half.
